The duet is a classic and highly entertaining feature of country music. Putting two people's voices together for a song can be so exciting. Think of some of the great duets in the past. There was Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers on "Islands in the Stream," Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley on "Walkaway Joe," and of course, the wildly popular Riley Green-Ella Langley duet, "Looks Like You Love Me." There are countless others as well. Hank Williams Jr. has done his share of duets. We revisited the ones he did with Connie Francis, Post Malone, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard.
Videos by Wide Open Country
'Walk On By' With Connie Francis
This bubbly song sung by Williams Jr. and Connie Francis was recorded in 1964. It's on their album, Connie Francis and Hank Williams Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites. (This tune is not to be confused with the song of the same name written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and recorded by Dionne Warwick.) This one was penned by Kendall Hayes and Gary Walker.
Fans really loved the blending of Francis and Williams Jr.'s voices. They happily commented on YouTube about it.
"Great song"
"Two fantastic singers from their early years!"
"They sing a good version of this one, their voices are so good."
'Finer Things' With Post Malone
This duet is on Posty's 2024 album, F-1Trillion. Holler had an interesting take on Williams Jr.'s role on this song alongside Malone. "The appearance of the country icon on this track was one of the biggest surprises...with Hank famously reluctant to freely offer up duets - especially with artists hailing from the rap and pop worlds." That said, he seems to have had a genuinely rollicking good time kicking up his heels and singing this song with Malone! In case you are wondering what the "finer things" mentioned in the song are, they include delectable country-style delicacies like "catfish caviar" and a "south of Florida cigar."
'The Conversation' With Waylon Jennings
Written by Jennings, Williams Jr., and Waylon Jennings' drummer, Richie Albright, the song is about a chat between the two superstar singers regarding Williams Jr.'s parents, Hank Sr. and Audrey. Personal in content and dramatic in its execution, this song must have meant a lot to both men. Per savingcountrymusic.com, the song was initially on Williams Jr.'s album Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound. Then it got a second life when it was included on Jennings' 1983 album of duets, Waylon and Company.
'I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink' With Merle Haggard
Per The Boot, Williams Jr. generously praised Haggard to the sky. "Merle is one-of-a-kind. His music resonates with fans just like mine does. Making this song was simple, it maybe took two takes. Then we spent the rest of the time laughing and telling old road stories. Merle and I are for the everyday working man and that's something we have in common."
